Ambre was born in Paris. After language studies that quickly took her into an intense international business career, she decided 11 years ago to settle in Lyon. The nearby mountains, the cultural dynamism and the airport, all made Lyon to be the perfect spot for a more peaceful personal and professional life while still retaining international contacts.

Passionate about entrepreneurship, Ambre did not realize at the time that this move would become the starting point of a new adventure, simultaneously in an ecological, social and business point of view. Yet, it is here that she re-invents herself by deciding in 2020 to introduce a branch of the Franco-Dutch start-up of which she is a share-holder: Nowos.

Nowos, it is a bit of a crazy bet and yet a major asset. Nowos repairs and refurbishes used lithium-on batteries found everywhere in the field of electric mobility: moped (or vespa), bicycles, electric scooters… but for which no-one knows how to handle their end of life. And this is what motivates Ambre: to give a future to what seems devoid of one! Naturally she chooses for Nowos a declining industrial site, in the rural area of Amplepuis.

And there, for the past two years, she has been giving a new life to batteries but also and most important she has been reinvigorating lives and careers by training and hiring unemployed and people changing careers.

Today Nowos is the European pioneer in the field of battery refurbishing. It’s a real success. For Ambre, having achieved a professional activity based on a circular economy – a principle she believes in above all – is a source of great pride. Finally, it is a daily peace of mind to have been able to achieve this in Lyon, a city which has defended and supported her insatiable appetite to take action and change things.

When going to the flea-market, where she loves to hang-out, she confirms this: giving a second chance to people, places and objects: it is above all to give a chance to the future.

Make a change. Feel alive.

Diane was born in Marseille and from an early age she knew what she wanted to do: drawing.

When she turned 18 she came to Lyon to join the Emile Cohl School of arts and illustration, which gave her the tips to make her dream come true. There she revealed herself, devoted her time to her passion. After four years of intense learning that changed her life, she started her career here in Lyon. In video-games first, then she flew to Ireland and Canada, where she gained valuable experiences and techniques in animation, cartoon, etc. After several years living abroad, she finally decided to return to Lyon to settle, pursue her career, start a family but most important of all she came back to teach in turn drawing at the Emile Cohl school. To transmit her knowledge, to share her skill is vital to Diane who sees, in this return to square, one a way to say thank you to fate, a way to help tomorrow’s artist emerge, and mostly an opportunity to encourage creativity. Creativity? Diane’s is boundless. For her everything is an excuse to discover, learn, create and invent stories. With an abundant imagination and curiosity, she draws her inspiration as much from cinema, pop culture, new technologies as from the pre-Raphaelite painters of the 19 th Century.

In Lyon, she does not hesitate to create links between the architecture of the city and science-fiction. Hence, while wandering by her side through town, the Gallo-Roman Museum transforms into a spaceship and Lyon’s Auditorium becomes a flying saucer sent from a remote universe.

Diane happily admits: if she hadn’t been an illustrator, she would have become an astrophysicist … to always have her head in the stars maybe? When she is not in one of her vibrant imaginary worlds, Diane works in her studio in Lyon. The city feeds her imagination, also allows her to get a break and to enjoy family time. When strolling on the waterfront, a place she enjoys going to with her children, Diane can already see herself in front of a blank sheet of paper experimenting new technologies in order to transcribe the great beauty of a sky, to draw now, to imagine tomorrow.

Make a change. Feel alive.

She grew up between Lyon and Grenoble, yet the city which allowed her « to be born for a sec-ond time » as she puts it, is Lyon. She would have never thought that her choice to come and study hotel management here, would have had such a positive impact on her life, and lead her one day to represent France internationally.

However, … When she was only 15, the decision was taken: Lisa – like her Gran and her par-ents before her – would work in the service industry. Hence her choice to join the François Rab-elais High-school in Lyon-Dardilly. And it was there that she discovered a passion for the function of receptionist, a profession that requires contact with people. For Lisa – who thinks she is shy and withdrawn – this is a turning point. As, while most of her colleague move to-wards catering trades, Lisa is confident: she will become a receptionist in a Palace or five stars luxury hotel. In Lyon, where she chooses to pursue studies in hotel and catering management, she feels con-fident. The city is the perfect location to accommodate her enthusiasm, determination and ener-gy. And Lyon will mostly prove to be a career booster thanks to one of her teacher’s suggestion to join the WorldSkills, the Olympics of the trade.

This event, which aims at promoting the excellence in learning and skilled trade, is based – for its exams – on practical situations. The topic for the national skill competition is perfect: be the best receptionist-concierge in Lyon. Lisa then studies for her exams, she learns and discovers everything she needs to know on the city that saw her blossom. And Lyon will bring her luck: in January 2022 she wins the final and take gold medal of the France WorldSkills championship in her category.

Today, Lisa works in a Parisian luxury hotel. Day-to-day she sees herself as an orchestra con-ductor who has to ensure the well-being of its customers the moment they walk through the door. In terms of progression Lisa does not stop. She has now joined the French team for the 2024 Worldskills.

Tomorrow? She will return to Lyon, the city where it all began for her, the city where it can all change for those who know how to welcome good fortune.

Make a change feel alive.

Ruba and Mhiar were born in Syria. There, Ruba – with her double master’s degree in banking and public relations – is destined to work in finance. Mhiar is a journalist. In 2011, the Syrian revolution turned their lives upside-down and shattered their dreams. Their mobilization against the regime exposed them, and both their families, to death threats. After several jail sentences, they were left with only one solution to get out of this situation: fleeing the country. This marked the beginning of a long exile for Ruba and Mhiar: it will last for years. First Dubai, then Turkey where they will marry. Each time they rebuild their lives, start a career, launch their business. But each time, the impossibility to renew their visa, forces them to leave. In 2016, thanks to the support of two French journalists helped by Mhiar’s family in Syria, the French government offers them the opportunity to become refugees in France.

When they arrived in Lyon, Ruba and Mhiar are struck by the peace of mind and the spirit of freedom which reign over the city. For the first time in many many years, at the Place des Terreaux, they can dream. They learn French and decide to launch a career in the food industry, because cooking is a passion passed on from their parents, but also because from now on it is a heritage they must protect, a legacy reinforced by their life as exiles. They quickly understand that in terms of taste buds, Lyon is an amazing testing ground. Their first exchanges with people from Lyon relate to their common love for culinary tradition, hence facilitating their integration. Ruba has a real feeling for business, Mhiar has talent. With their insatiable need for energy they move mountains.

In 2018 by working extremely hard, by being tenacious and meeting great people, the adventure of La Petite Syrienne begins in Villeurbanne. First, it’s a food truck, afterwards they open their own restaurant, then they do food catering and finally, today, the culinary lab… Now La Petite Syrienne has become “Grande” and continues to grow, just like Ruba
and Mhiar’s generosity who now support and train newcomers. “To help others like we were helped”, giving them back the love to live, and inspiring them to act here and to get things done for tomorrow. This is their finest revenge on Fate.

Make a change. Feel alive.

He is one of France greatest athletes, one of those who – throughout his career – has been on everyone’s lips. And now, he is one of the personalities shaping the future of Lyon. He has won every title a basketball player could dream of: since he started his career in 1999 with Paris Basket Racing, he was then drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2001 where he stayed until 2018. Four times NBA Champion, Parker also participated six times in the NBA All-Star Game finals, was named MVP during the 2007 NBA finals … in one of today’s most competitive sports supported by the greatest historic nations in the field.

Yet his heart is in France: remember the European Championship title in 2013 he won with the “bleus”; remember these mythical Olympic final stages, in particular the match against the USA team.

He makes it clear and unequivocal: France gave him everything, he wants to return the favour. And it’s happening here in Lyon, by inventing a second part to his ambitious career, active and inspiring for the younger generation.

In Villeurbanne, he is involved in the ASVEL, this mythical club he played against when he was only 17. For basketball fans, the ASVEL needs no introduction. For the others, the ASVEL is France’s most successful club, it is also the iconic player Alain Gilles… Tony has a very clear aim in mind: making this team a European reference.

He has also launched the Tony Parker Adéquat Academy, based on an innovative concept mixing passion, studies and employment. The academy also teaches overcoming personal limits in order to allow young passionate people to build their own life project. A founding project for a “second” life, as Tony is strongly committed to give hope to the youth.

He is now living in Lyon with his family. A decision driven by the human values of the territory, by the quality of life it offers, and by the ambition of those with whom he launched all of these new projects.

For Tony, a new life begins here. For the greater benefit of the territory and its future talents.

Make a change. Feel alive.